Colby College places officer on leave in Easter arrest case

WATERVILLE, Maine — A Colby College official says a security officer has been placed on paid administrative leave in connection with an Easter Sunday incident that provoked a student protest at the Waterville school.

The officer’s name was not released. Word of the suspension came out as a consultant’s report concluded that everybody involved could have conducted themselves better during the incident, which occurred after a campus dance.

Police arrested two students after they allegedly interfered during a medical assessment of a third student. A video shows police pinning the students to the floor.

The report says one student was restrained for too long and at least one security officer used “improper force” while trying to get students to leave.

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Meanwhile, one of the students arrested in the incident has been charged with violating bail conditions by consuming alcohol at a campus pub.

Police said 22-year-old Ozzy Ramirez turned himself in Friday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

His lawyer said Ramirez pleaded not guilty to violating conditions of release and is free on a new bail bond of $1,500 cash.

Ramirez was charged last month with assault and criminal trespassing for allegedly trying to interfere with efforts to assist a student who was ill in a campus building after a dance.

Students protested the arrests of Ramirez and a second student, saying police and campus security used excessive force.